Annual fireworks show to go on

City Manager Mark McDaniel announced during this morning’s regularly scheduled Council meeting that thanks to generous private funding, the City of Tyler will coordinate the 2014 annual fireworks show at Lindsey Park. This comes after an announcement earlier in the month that the Jaycees would no longer be hosting the event.

“The City had not budgeted for a fireworks show and the same pyro-technics company was not available to do the event on the Fourth of July, so it looked like the Lindsey Park fireworks show wasn’t going to be possible this year,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “However, several community-minded individuals and companies stepped in to provide the private funding necessary to make this Independence Day Celebration a reality.”

The primary sponsor of the event will be Texas Senator Kevin Eltife. Other sponsors include Tyler Mayor Martin Heines, Greenberg Smoked Turkey, Inc., the Tyler Morning Telegraph, and other anonymous donors.

The celebration has been moved to Saturday, July 5; however, both the fireworks display and parking will be free this year. There will be much the same setup as previous years, with Pyro Shows handling the fireworks exhibit, which will begin at dark.

“We have to have the Fourth of July celebration in Tyler because it means so much to the community,” said Senator Eltife. “We want to make sure that all families in our community have an opportunity to take part in the celebration and enjoy the fireworks display.”

Police Chief Gary Swindle, Fire Chief Tim Johnson and Parks Director Stephanie Rollings played an important role in investigating the feasibility of the City taking on this event.

“This is a perfect example of the community coming together for the benefit of all,” said McDaniel. “Thanks to the sponsors, we are anticipating even more people attending this year since both the event and parking will be free.”

Like any other day, the park officially opens at 6 a.m. However, it is anticipated that concessions will be available beginning at around 2 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at dark.